Volunteers remove over 300 tires from local public lands

Montrose, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management Uncompahgre Field Office had about 30 helping hands last weekend in collecting over 300 tires during Saturday’s annual National Public Lands Day event. The tires, which were illegally dumped on public lands earlier this year, were transported to R.C. Tire Disposal in Olathe. The discarded tires will be recycled and used for a shooting range in Whitewater.

“These folks don’t realize what a huge help they are to BLM staff,” Field Manager Barb Sharrow said. “They deserve a lot of recognition for sacrificing their Saturday to come out and clean up trash left behind by others.”

Members from three local clubs, the Western Slope 4 Wheelers, Thunder Mountain Wheelers, and the Uncompahgre Valley Trail Riders, pitched in to clean up what is known as the Coyote Cut-off in the Dry Creek area. Davis Service Center donated the use of two ATV trailers for the day, and participants used their ATVs, off-road vehicles and trucks to get the job done in about 4 hours.

Dumping on public lands is a common problem, and BLM is constantly faced with properly disposing of everything from household trash to hazardous materials. Those who abuse your public lands need to learn that it’s not okay—ultimately, all of us pay through increased taxes. Those who witness any suspicious activity on public lands are encouraged to contact the local BLM field office at (970) 240-5300, or call 911.

For information on future clean-up projects on BLM public lands, contact BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Julie Stotler at (970) 240-5310.

-BLM-

EDITOR’S NOTE – Photographs of the day’s activities available upon request. Please contact Mel by noon, 9/21 (leaving for the weekend)!